Question

Write an equation for the line that passes through the following point:
(-4, -2), (2,6)
Explain

Answer 1

Do you know how to get the slope determined by these two points?

Answer 2

y2-y1/x2-x1 I'm guessing?

Answer 3

So y2-y1/x2-x1 is correct?

Answer 4

slope is rise over run which is what you have (y2-y1)/(x2-x1) . Think of it as change in y over change in x. So, now, crank out the value of m, the slope. Either point can be designated as (x1, y1).

Answer 5

Yes, with the ( ). Otherwise, it could be read as 10 - 6/6 - 4 which is 10 - 1 - 4 = 5.
When, you really wanted (10-6)/(6-4) = 4/2 = 2. I just made up those numbers to illustrate that grouping symbols matter.

Answer 6

If you were writing horizontally, it wouldn't be problem.
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Compute the slope now and post here.

Answer 7

For slope I got 4/3. But for the rest, I don't know what to do.

Answer 8

Be glad you got that right and don't worry about what you can't do next.

Answer 9

We'll use the point/slope form of a line. Actually, all these forms of writing a line amount to the same thing in the end.

Answer 10

y - y1 = m (x - x1) where m is the slope and (x1,y1) is either of the two points. Two points determine a unique line so it doesn't matter which one you use.

Answer 11

I'll us (-4,-2)

Y - (-2) = (4/3) [ x - (-4)]

It is extremely important to use grouping symbols here because it is so easy to get the minus symbol for subtraction mixed up with the negative sign of the number.

y + 2 = (4/3) [ x + 4]

See if you agree so far.

Answer 12

2 negatives makes a positive :)

Answer 13

@sakigirl --> Somebody is here in your place answering your questions.

Answer 14

Oh! It's coming back to me now :) Thanks!

Answer 15

Where did you go?
I thought we were having a dialogue.
I'm waiting for you to answer this question.

y + 2 = (4/3) [ x + 4]

See if you agree so far.

Answer 16

agree

Answer 17

It's a good idea to stick with one problem rather than to try to do several problems at once.

A person (amistre64) above you wrote the following: 2 negatives makes a positive :)

How is that statement relevant to the problem? Is there an error so far?

Answer 18

-+-=+

Answer 19

No error so far

Answer 20

y + 2 = (4/3) [ x + 4]

y + 2 = (4/3)x + 16/3)

Answer 21

Multiply through by 3.

Answer 22

Write what results from that here.

Answer 23

I'm a bit confused on how you got 16/3

Answer 24

4/3 * 4 = 4/3 * 4/1 = 16/3

Answer 25

Your task is to multiply y + 2 = (4/3)x + 16/3) by 3.

Do you want to do this problem in a different way?

Answer 26

It's just y=4/3x

Answer 27

?

Answer 28

What about it? It's not 4 over 3x. It is (4/3) times x.

3 (4/3) x = 3/1 * 4/3 * x/1 = 4x.

Answer 29

I didn't multiply it by 3 and I got y=(4/3)x.

Answer 30

y + 2 = 4/3 (x + 4)
3y + 6 = 4x + 16
3y = 4x + 16 - 6
3y = 4x + 10
y = (4/3)x + 10/3

Answer 31

Oh never mind. I see where I made my mistake.
Thanks!

Answer 32

This is not the only way to do the problem.

Answer 33

Oh, but this is the only way I learned it since 8th grade so I prefer this way :P